Children
Parent-condoned truancy 'harder to put a dent in', principals say
Principals say the latest school attendance figures signal a turning point - but a complete U-turn is a long way off, and the associate education minister is still not smiling. Audio
Urgent Waitangi Tribunal inquiry held into government Oranga Tamariki change
The Government has been warned against repealing Oranga Tamariki's Treaty commitments.
Officials tell government softer is better for boot camps
Tough boot camps won't work and could be detrimental, the government's own officials told it. Audio
'We have to give this idea a chance': Cautious approach to boot camps advised
They must take a therapeutic approach, rather than a 'scare-them-straight' attitude, the Human Rights Commission says.
Government to publish weekly school attendance numbers
A weekly look at how many students are attending school will be published from next month with the Coalition planning to ramp it up to daily reporting at the start of next year.
The Ministry of… Audio
When it's too expensive to measure poverty
Two fact-finding projects on children and poverty are under attack by public service cost cutting. Audio
Young men opting for vasectomies before fathering any children
When it comes to the birds and the bees, preventing pro-creation has long been the burden of women. But there's a growing number of men - particularly young, childless men - picking up the… Audio
Episode 9
Tamariki answer the question "If you could have a superpower, what would it be?", there are Fun Facts about elephants, and this week's story in Suzy's Book Corner is Bumblebee by Rachel Weston. Audio
Kids still playing chicken with trains on notorious rail bridge
New video has emerged showing children playing chicken with a train and just clearing it as they jump into the Waikato River from a railway bridge.
'Incredibly rich resource' loses govt funding
Funding for a major study following the lives of more than 6000 Kiwi children since 2009 has ended and the government is considering its future.
Episode 8
Pedro, Emma, and Megan have a triple treat of jokes, Seagull Sid by Dawn McMillan is the book Suzy reads, and Trevor asks kids where he can find the Easter Bunny. Audio
Measles found among young children in Waikato
Health officials are urging families to get vaccinated against the highly infectious disease, as two new cases emerge in Waikato.
Changes to Gloriavale response could risk gains - ministers told
Work to protect members of the Gloriavale Christian community from exploitation and abuse could lose momentum with the end of an all-of-government response, ministers have been told.
Urgent rescue plan needed for India's Gloriavale branch
The Gloriavale offshoot in India is home to Kiwi women and children. A former member of the sect says getting them out of there is urgent Audio
Mother hopes FamilyBoost rebate will help her children have more days in childcare
Mother of two Kelly Watts is hoping the Government's 'FamilyBoost' rebate will mean she can afford to have her three-year-old in kindy for longer.
Her husband works full time, while she works part… Audio
ECE sector welcomes 'FamilyBoost' rebate, questions its reach
The tax rebate for parents with kids in pre-school is being called a welcome a relief for some households but there's also a warning only a few will enjoy the full benefits.
From October, the… Audio
Fielding early childhood teacher guilty of serious misconduct
A Feilding early childhood teacher who forced food out of children's mouths, smacked them and locked them in rooms has been censured and struck off.
The Disciplinary Tribunal has found Pitter Patter… Audio
FamilyBoost rebate will be a relief says Early Childhood Council
The Early Childhood Council says the Government's FamilyBoost rebate for pre-school education will be a relief for many parents, but describes it as more of a tax cut.
From October, households… Audio
Govt taking into account new information on long covid
Time now for our weekly chat with Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Nathan Rarere asked her what the government has to offer for those who may have long covid. Audio
Episode 7
Suzy reads Carol Duffy's book Do Not Feed the Kea, you can play the game 'What's That Sound?', and eight-year-old Aston talks about friends. Audio